Stephanie Brown, SDC Preschool (updated August, 2011)
My name is Stephanie Brown, and I teach in the SDC Preschool program at Ladera. I have been in the field of Early Childhood Education for over 20 years, first in a non-profit preschool, and for the past 12+ years with Tustin’s SDC preschool program.
I received my B.A. in Liberal Studies with a Music Emphasis at Cal State Hayward (recently renamed East Bay), and my M.S. in Education with an emphasis in Reading from Cal State Fullerton. I have several credentials: Multiple Subjects, Reading Specialist, and Children’s Center Permit. Last May, I completed my Ph.D. in Education with a concentration in Disability Studies. Now I am looking for part-time work teaching early childhood and disability-related courses at local colleges/universities.
I have four children: Brian lives and works in Mammoth Lakes in the IT department of the hospital; Erin is pursuing a Master’s degree in Nursing at Cal State LA; Kathryn and Shawn got married in June (she works at Bed, Bath & Beyond, and he’s in college); and Susanna is in her second year at Sonoma State University, where she is on the dance team.
I enjoy walking and try to get in a 3-mile walk 4 or 5 times a week. This summer we hiked to Ptarmigan Tunnel and Upper Two Medicine Lake in Glacier National Park, and saw an adolescent moose munching leaves for lunch. I have a summer home on Flathead Lake in Western Montana, where we have an orchard with cherry, apricot, apple, plum, and pear trees. This summer, the cherry crop was two weeks late, and the apricots non-existent, mostly due to a cold and wet spring which prevented the bees from doing their job! Only managed a few cherry pies, and no jam at all this year. I love to read all kinds of fiction, and lately have concentrated on science fiction. My mother was a librarian, and one of my prized possessions is an autographed copy of Alex Haley’s Roots.
It seems every year brings changes to the Ladera Preschool. This year I have three classes, one in the morning, and two in the afternoon (M-Th, and T-Fr). Never a dull moment, that’s for sure. I am seeking donations of games for 3-5 year olds, dress-up clothes (if your daughter every danced, those little costumes are treasured in my room!), men’s short-sleeved shirts (to wear backwards when we paint), pretend food and dishes for my “housekeeping” area, along with a small table and chairs. And if you have anything else you think I might be able to use, please bring it by. We have a new preschool teacher, and she might be in need of donations as well. Many thanks in advance! I am looking forward my 10th year here at Ladera. Stop by and say “Hi!” anytime!
Stephanie Brown
Early Intervention Specialist
Tustin Unified School District
714.730.7505, ext. 611